Ibrahim El-Salahi at Salon94

A visit to the Alhambra in Spain inspired Oxford, England-based Sudanese artist Ibrahim El-Salahi to begin his ‘Flamenco’ series, in which he celebrates the music and dance of Andalusia in his signature, modernist style.  (At Salon94 on the Lower East Side through April 18th).

Ibrahim El-Salahi, Flamenco, poster paint on cardboard, 33.875 x 34.625 inches, 2010.
Ibrahim El-Salahi, Flamenco (detail), poster paint on cardboard, 33.875 x 34.625 inches, 2010.

Barkley L. Hendricks at Jack Shainman Gallery

Though they’re both solitary women illuminated by glowing backgrounds, the subject of Barkley L. Hendrick’s 2015 painting, Anthem, couldn’t be further in character from the measured cool of his iconic 1969 ‘Lawdy Mama.’ This singer is holding nothing back as she takes the stage with a double mike and unrestrained self-confidence. (At Jack Shainman Gallery through April 23rd.)

Barkley L. Hendricks, Anthem, mixed media including copper leaf, combination leaf, oil and acrylic on canvas, 75 x 77 inches, 2015.
Barkley L. Hendricks, Anthem, mixed media including copper leaf, combination leaf, oil and acrylic on canvas, 75 x 77 inches, 2015.

Serge Alain Nitegeka at Marianne Boesky Gallery

Young Johannesburg artist Serge Alain Nitegeka pushes abstraction off the wall at Marianne Boesky Gallery in Chelsea, altering the gallery with paintings that project into the room while simultaneously acting as portals into 2D illusionary spaces. (Through April 23rd).

Serge Alain Nitegeka, Installation view of ‘Colour and Form in Black’ at Marianne Boesky Gallery, March 2016.
Serge Alain Nitegeka, Installation view of ‘Colour and Form in Black’ at Marianne Boesky Gallery, March 2016.

Emily Eveleth at Danese Corey Gallery

Fruity filling oozes from cracked dough like blood seeping from a wound in this painting of two stacked donuts by Emily Eveleth. The painting’s title ‘Façade,’ suggests we’re only getting half of the story and backs up the impression that these donuts can be read as stand-ins for much more. (At Danese Corey Gallery in Chelsea through April 16th).

Emily Eveleth, Façade, oil on canvas, 68 x 40 inches, 2016.
Emily Eveleth, Façade, oil on canvas, 68 x 40 inches, 2016.

Mary Weatherford at Skarstedt Gallery

Mary Weatherford’s Casa Reef is a standout in Skarstedt Gallery’s excellent painting show in Chelsea, bringing to mind Yves Klein’s body prints, but in geometric blocks that suggest an underwater structure emerging from swirling white foam pushed by a (literal, neon) current. (In Chelsea through April 16th).

Mary Weatherford, Casa Reef, flashe and neon on linen, 117 x 104 inches, 2016.
Mary Weatherford, Casa Reef, flashe and neon on linen, 117 x 104 inches, 2016.